Former Savannah State administrator faces the boot

Dr. Joseph Silver, a former administrator at Savannah State University, is on the hot seat over in Montgomery, Ala., after only two months on the job as president of Alabama State University.

Remember Dr. Joseph Silver?

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Silver was a top administrator at Savannah State University, serving as the right-hand man of then-President Carlton Brown. He and Brown shook things up on campus, making almost as many enemies and friends.

Since leaving the Historically Black University here, Silver went on to bigger things, including Clark Atlanta University and, more recently, as president of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.

But those days may be numbered. News reports say he could get the boot on Friday after only two months on the job.

Silver, who took over as Alabama State's president on Sept. 17, is at the center of a nasty political spat involving an influential state lawmaker, State Rep. John Knight, who also serves as Alabama State's executive VP and chief operating officer. According to news reports, Silver tried to fire Knight for "cause and insubordination." But the institution's board appears to be siding with Knight, who happens to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. It named him interim president until it figures out to do with Silver, who has a four-year contract that pays $325,000 annually.

Silver told the Montgomery Advertiser that he had concerns about questionable contracts that his institution had and potential conflicts of interests. He said he reported them to the trustees -- the same trustees that apparently are trying to move him out.

Here's more from the Advertiser:

"Silver said there was a smear campaign against him since he raised issues following him being placed on administrative leave, but he said he would not stoop to personal attacks. Silver said his personal and professional life was vetted before he was hired at Alabama State. He said he informed the search committee that he fired at least 10 tenured faculty members at Savannah State University for cause and for lack of integrity during his time there as vice president for academic affairs."

News reports say Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley will attend Friday's meeting. As governor, Bentley is president of the institution's board.

All the facts haven't been aired. So it's unclear whether Silver is the victim for blowing the whistle on some dirty dealing, or whether he's a clumsy president.

While at Savannah State, Silver and Brown called themselves "The Dream Team." They definitely raised the roof during their nine years there, raising academic standards and bringing in more money for research and scholarships. But they were often heavy-handed.

By picking on an influential state lawmaker who is among those who control Alabama's purse strings, it appears nothing has changed.

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